JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Culture and womanhood in Uhambo lwenkululeko

Mntanga, Overman Mziwakhe (2002-03)

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.

Thesis

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study examines issues of culture in Mcani's drama Uhambo Lwenkululeko (Journey of
Freedom). Following Bauerlein (1997:63), it is argued that the study of women in literature
forces a critical examination of the way women in literature have been portrayed in the past
because of male domination. The study aims to establish what the progress is in the portrayal
of women characters after the introduction of the new dispensation in South Africa.
This study shows in the discussion of the theoretical aspects of culture in Chapter 2 that
culture is an elusive concept because it has different definitions. Culture is that complex
whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, customs and all other capabilities
and habits acquired by man as a member of society. This implies that culture entails
everything that contributes to the survival of man, comprising both physical and social factors.
In Chapter 3, it is established that the author has excellently handled both characterisation
and the plot in Uhambo Lwenkululeko (Journey of Freedom). The plot structure of Uhambo
Lwenkululeko (Journey of Freedom) in particular, has been handled successfully by the
author. For example, by opening his drama with conflict, in the exposition, the author has
managed to show is that conflict is the source of action in drama. It is the aspect that triggers
characters to respond either positively or negatively to a particular opposing force.
We have established in Chapter 4 that societies have certain basic needs or requirements
that must be met if they are to survive. For example, a means of producing food may be seen
as a functional pre-requisite since without it, members of society could not survive. This
might have been one of the reasons why the boys are busy fishing in the drama.
According to the findings in this study, men and women are portrayed equal with regard to
reason. We established that the belief that women lack the capacity to fully exercise the
powers of human reason is a deeply rooted prejudice.